Life-buoy.



W. A. SMITH.

LIFE BUOY.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9,1917.

Patented Feb. 12,1918.

I IVNVENTOR f'i-jJ g ATTORNEY wnsLn-Y a. smart, or ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR :ro nmsnnr, AND SAMUEL n. SMITH, or PLEASANTVILLE, new JnnsnY.

LIFE-BUOY.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Fgb. v12, 1918.,

Application filed June 9, 1917. Serial No. 173,715.

Buoys, of which the following isa specification. 4

The invention relates to marine life-saving apparatus of the life-preserver type, and the object of the invention is to provide a simple, eificient and readily available buoy adapted to inclose and support the occupant and protect him in'large measure from exposure to wet and cold, and in which means are provided for carrying suflicient food and water and other supplies and articles for the comfort and sustenance of such occupant during a considerable period.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement by which the above objects are attained, to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification and show an approved form of the invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the life buoy in service.

The remaining figures are on a larger scale.

Fig. 2 is a front viewshowing the device in the distended condition.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation.

Fig. 4 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 3 but with the mouth of the pouch open as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

. Fig. 6 is a similar section taken on the line 66 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing the buoy in the partially collapsed condition.

Similar letters of reference indicate the same parts in all the figures.

A is a closed hollow annulus or ring, preferably of copper or other suitable metal, of sufficient inside diameter: to encircle the occupant with considerable spare space, and

having sufficient buoyancy when partially submerged to support such occupant with his head and upper portion of the body above the surface of the water.

B is a flexible circular bag, of waterproof fabric, which may be strong duck or canvas painted or otherwise treated to exclude water, having atits upper .edge two annular flaps 13 B provided each with a rowof eyelets Z2 and adapted to inclose the annulus and hold the latter to the bag by lacings B on its innerface.

Therlower diameter of the bag B is shown as less than the top, and with the bag-bottom C incloses a ring D of metal sufficiently strong to hold such bottom distended and heavy enough to aid materiallv as ballast in maintaining the bag in position in the water below the annulus.

In the bottom ofthe bag are two opposite openings 0 0 from which depend closed tubular legs or extensions E E of the same flexible waterproofed material, adapted to receive the legs of the occupant and preferably held distended by hoops E E The legs E E are longer than the lower limbs of a person and large enough to receive such limbs with freedom for the latter to move therein and thus avoid cramps due to lack of movement, and also to provide an air space around the limbs to prevent loss of heat.

The flexible bottom Cis reinforced by a flexible strip C extending diametrically of the bag between the openings 0 0, adapted to serve with the corresponding portion of the bottom C as a seat or saddle for the occupant and support him in a partially sitting posture. I

From the upper flap B of the bag extends a pouch F which may be of the same material as the bag but is preferably of lighter or, more flexible waterproofed fabric, having a fold F 1 at the upper edge inclosing a draw-string F by which the mouth of the pouch may be closed, or drawn closely about the neck of the occupant to exclude wet, or may be drawn about the body below the arms to leave the latter free.

On the inner face of the bag Bis a series of pockets G adapted to contain flasks. of water, food, and other supplies and articles, as a telescoping staff H from which a signal, as a torch, or flag H may be displayed. Means not shown'may be provided for closing the mouths of the pockets.

The staff H may be thrust through a bushed opening J in the pouch F, having a removable closure J so that the si a1 may be displayed while the mouth of t e pouch is closed about the neck of the occupant.

At suitable'points on the exterior of the 110 flap B are secured a loop K and snaphook L or other engaging means by which two or more similar buoys with their occupants may be joined to insure against separation while awaiting rescue. The loop and hook may also serve as means for the attachment of a line in launching the buoy from the deck of a vessel with a helpless occupant therein.

The flexibility of the material and the arrangement of the annulus A, ring D, and hoops E E permit the whole to be collapsed for storage, as indicated in Fig. 7, to a diameter and thickness approximately the same as the corresponding dimensions of the annulus alone, so as to occupy but little space on shipboard.

Experiments show that a person may occupy the buoy for periods of several days without extreme discomfort even in rough seas, and by the air-space afforded between portions of the limbs and body and the walls of the buoy in contact with the water, aided by drawing the neck of thepoueh closely together, the heat of the body is conserved for long periods in the coldest weather. The flexibility of the seat together with the yielding buoyant action of the water provides a comfortable Support for the occupant and the roominess of the device permits limited changes of position.

Modifications may be made in the forms, proportions and arrangements, and parts and accessories may be added or omitted without departing from the principle of the invention.

I claim 1. In a life buoy, a buoyant annulus, a flexible bag suspended therefrom to receive the body of an occupant, flaps inclosing said annulus, tubular legs depending from said bag and closed at their lower ends, a pouch extending upwardly from said annulus, and means for closing the mouth of the pouch.

2. In a life buoy, a buoyant annulus, a flexible bag suspended therefrom to receive the body of an occupant, flaps inclosing said annulus, tubular legs depending from said bag and closed at their lower ends, a pouch extending upwardly from said annulus, meansfor closing the mouth of the pouch, and a flexible reinforcing strip extended diametrically of the bag and serving with the bottom of the latter to form a seat for the occupant.

' 3. In a life buoy, a buoyant annulus, a bag suspended therefrom, flaps at the upper edge of said bag, a ring in the bottom of said bag, tubular legs depending from said bag and closed at their lower ends, a pouch extending upwardly from said annulus,

means for adjustably closing the mouth of said pouch, and pockets on the interior of said bag, the whole being collapsible within the area of the annulus.

4. In a life buoy, a buoyant annulus, a bag suspended therefrom, flaps at the upper edge of said bag, a ring in the bottom of said bag, tubular legs depending from said bag and closed at their lower ends, a pouch extending upwardly from said annulus, means for adjustably closing the mouth of .said pouch, and hoops in said legs for holding the latter distended, the whole being collapsible within the area of the annulus.

5. In a life buoy, a buoyant annulus, a bag suspended therefrom, flaps at the upper edge of said bag, a ring in the bottom of said bag, tubular legs depending from said bag and closed at their lower ends, a pouch extending upwardly from said annulus, means for adjustably closing the mouth of said pouch, the latter having an opening therein, and a removable closure for such opening, the whole being collapsible within the area of the annulus.

6. In a life buoy, a closed hollow annulus, a bag of flexible waterproof material susended therefrom and having flaps inclosing'said annulus, a weighted ring in the margin of the bottom of said bag, tubular legs depending from said bag-at opposite sides of said bottom, and closed at their lower ends, hoops in said legs for holding the latter distended, a pouch extendin upwardly from said annulus, and a crawstring encircling the mouth of said pouch for closing such month.

7. In a life buoy, a closed hollow annulus, a bag of flexible waterproof material sus pended therefrom and having flaps inclosing said annulus, a weighted ring in the margin of the bottom of said bag, tubular legs depending from said bag at opposite sides of said bottom, and closed at their lower ends, hoops in said legs for holding the latter distended, a pouch, extending upwardly from said annulus, means. for adjustably closing the mouth of said pouch, and means on the exterior of said annulus for separably joining said annulus to an'adj acent annulus.

In testimony that I claim the invention above set forth I atfix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WESLEY A. SMITH. Witnesses:

L. D. CHAMPION, ETHEL W. Somme. 

